The reason: A live debate regarding the increasing popularity of "sensational news coverage" in Hearst owned newspapers.

The participants:

Adolph Ochs. Born in 1858, he began his newspaper career at the age of 11, as a delivery boy. In 1878 he borrowed $250 and bought half interest in the floundering Chattanooga Times. Believing that a newspaper should be "clean, dignified, and trustworthy" and possessing an acute business sense, Ochs built the Times into one of the strongest newspapers in the South. By the age of 38, Ochs was able to gain control of the then ailing New York Times. Upholding a policy of thorough, nonpartisan, and unsensational coverage of news, The New York Times tripled its circulation within a year.

William Randolph Hearst. Born in 1863. Took over the San Francisco Examiner from his father and turned it into the most successful newspaper in San Francisco. Through his families fortunes he was able to slowly start buying newspapers in every major market in the United States. Hearst believes that his newspapers should be "easy to read", big flashy headlines that can get the story across easily.

Moderator: Good evening. We are here to night to address the growing concern of sensational journalism in today's newspapers. William Randolph Hearst, owner of more than a dozen newspapers throughout the country has often be vilified for his role in the tasteless, insensitive and outrageous headlines that grace the pages of America's newspapers. He is here this evening to debate these charges against Mr. Adolph Ochs, a fellow newspaper magnate and current owner of the New York Times. We will start things off with Mr. Ochs.

Adolph Ochs: Mr. Hearst. Good evening. Before we begin, let me mention what a wonderful time my family and I had at your estate least week. The children really loved the new additions to your zoo . And my wife simply adored the diamond bracelet given out during your cocktail hour. Your hospitality knows no boundaries. Putting our personal affairs aside, I am here tonight to discuss the current state of our chosen profession, Journalism. It seems to me that some newspapers, particularly your newspapers Mr. Hearst, are more interested in sensationalistic eye catching headlines that snare readers into spending their hard earned pennies, only to have them find that the story does not live up to the hype or sometimes even the facts that you have supplied. When I read the headline of a newspaper that screams in big bold letters "HUNGRY, FRANTIC FLAMES" I expect to read about an unfortunate fire that had maybe devastated a landmark in our city. Not a story about the a small fire that was quickly doused at the Mayors Barbecue. A barbecue that just happened to be a fundraiser for the mayor. The same mayor that you and your newspaper are openly supporting for reelection this coming fall. I find that not only misleading, but quite in bad taste Mr. Hearst.

William Randolph Hearst:Forgive me Mr. Ochs. You did say this was a business didn't you? Besides the love of a good story, we are in this for a buck or two aren't we? I give my readers everything they want. So what if my headlines are flashy. It's flashy that sells. I stand by my headlines and more importantly I stand by my reporters and their facts. My editors follow strict guidelines, established by me, that ensure continued quality in the Hearst product.

Adolph Ochs: Lets talk about those guidelines, Mr. Hearst. I have before me tonight a copy of the so-called "Commandments" that are to be followed at your newspapers. Let's start with the first one, "Be fair an impartial. Don't make a paper for the Republicans or Democrats or Independents. Make a paper for all the people and give unbiased news of all creeds and parties".Mr. Hearst, it's no secret that with the exception of a few years where you disagreed with Party Policies, you have been a lifelong Democrat. But you would already have surmised this if you head read a Hearst owned newspaper. Your papers give favorable coverage to Democratic politicians and little or negative coverage to the opposing party. Politicians who fell out of your favor or you did not support, found it nearly impossible to get elected in certain districts without the mighty Hearst Empire supporting them.

William Randolph Hearst:I cannot help it if the working class man identifies with the Democrats and their policies. I am simply an outlet for the people and the policies that they choose to see championed. If my readers where all Republicans or Independents, you may be assured that my papers would reflect that too. Adolph Ochs: Lets move on to another of you so called Commandments of Journalism, Mr. Hearst. I quote: "Omit things that will offend nice people. Avoid coarseness and a low tone. The most sensational news can be told if told properly".Before the movie Citizen Kane came out, Mr. Hearst, you were convinced and rightfully so might I add, that the film was about your life. You had your newspapers embark on a vicious mud slinging campaign with anyone associated with the picture. Louella Parsons a favorite Hearst columnist threatened the executives from RKO Studios that she would print fictional versions of their lives in her column if the movie were not pulled from release.

William Randolph Hearst:You have absolutely no proof of any of this. I defy you to supply any shred of evidence.Years ago Aldous Huxley came out with a novel called"After Many a Summer Dies the Swan". A quite unflattering novel based in part on my life. You did not see me go after Mr. Huxley did you? No, on the contrary,Mr. Huxley continues to write columns for Hearst newspapers to this day. So, why should I lose any sleep over this Citizen Kane. If I truly wanted to, I could buy RKO Studios and burn this rubbish. So yes, Mr. Ochs those commandments are mine. And I make sure that they are always carried out. It means something for a newspaper to have the Hearst name on it.

Adolph Ochs: Mr. Hearst, I am informed we only have a few moments before we go off the air tonight. So let me bring up one final Commandment for your newspapers. "Please be accurate. Don't allow exaggeration. It is a cheap and ineffective substitute for real interest. Reward reporters who make the truth more interesting and weed out those who cannot."

Facts, important facts I might add Mr. Hearst, are often incorrect and sometimes left out of your stories altogether. Might I remind the audience of a story that takes place before the onset of the Spanish American War?

Upon arriving in Cuba in 1897 to cover an anticipated war, your artist correspondent Mr. Frederick Remington cabled you Mr. Hearst, to say that nothing was happening and to ask permission to come back home to the States. You Mr. Hearst cabled him back and stated ''Stay where you are. You provide the pictures, and I'll provide the war.''

William Randolph Hearst: I'll have you know Mr. Ochs, that my papers live up to an exceptionable standard of excellence. The simple appearance of the Hearst name on a newspaper, magazine, newsreel, movie production or radio program means unsurpassed quality. I personally oversee what does or doesn't go into one of my newspapers. Unlike you Mr. Ochs, God gave me a voice and I intend to use it. I know the man on the street. I know what he eats, what he breathes, what he thinks. I am the man on the street Mr. Ochs! Someone needs to hear their voice. I just simply supply the vocal chords.Good Night!